The Unit for Health Services Research and Innovation (EHI) at Diakonhjemmet Hospital is one of three finalists for the Innovative Environment of the Year . The award for outstanding efforts in clinical studies will be presented for the very first time on January 29, 2026.
EHI is led by Professor Nina Østerås. She is clearly happy to be on the shortlist – and at the same time aware of the level.
– This means a lot to us, especially when we see who we are listed with. We are talking about very strong players who have achieved a lot. It makes us both proud and humble, says Østerås.
Among all the nominations, the jury has selected two other candidates in the category Innovative Environment of the Year: The Department of Neurology at Oslo University Hospital is nominated for the EU-funded AI-Mind project in dementia research. The company Possibia is nominated for the development of an international digital portal for clinical studies.
– It clearly shows how high the level is in this category. Being considered on par with these environments is experienced as important recognition, says Østerås.
Clinical trials with decentralized elements
The jury's justification for the nomination of EHI particularly points to studies with innovative designs that differ from traditional randomized controlled trials.
For Østerås, this is about developing research that more closely mirrors clinical practice.
“We use traditional randomized controlled trials where appropriate, including in studies of digital home monitoring. Here, we have increasingly adopted decentralized elements, which make it possible to follow patients more closely, but from a distance, in everyday life and over time,” she says.
She points out that this combination provides both methodological strength and high relevance for clinical practice. In recent years, EHI has been behind studies of digital home follow-up courses, such as ReMonit and NorFlare, conducted as randomized clinical trials. Experience and results from these studies are used as a basis for assessing the introduction of new patient courses in the clinic.
– The goal is to test new patient processes in a thorough manner before we possibly use them in ordinary operations.
Patient apps
The research group has also developed and tested patient apps for medical purposes in randomized clinical treatment studies. The apps are intended to support patients during their treatment process by increasing their knowledge of the disease and treatment. This can give patients greater insight into and control over their own situation and lead to them taking greater responsibility for their own health.
– It is important for us to investigate whether new solutions actually have any merit before they are introduced into practice. The research should provide a knowledge basis for decisions in the health service, says Østerås.
Patients as partners
A central part of the work at EHI is user participation. For many years, the unit has led a separate patient council that is involved in all studies.
– Patients contribute important perspectives that we don't get in other ways. They question what we take for granted, and they are clear about what actually matters in everyday life with illness. This has influenced both the issues we research and how we conduct the studies, says Østerås.
Network
EHI is also an active participant in the REMEDY center and leads the regional research network RECONNECT. The network works to increase expertise in decentralized clinical trials in South-Eastern Norway.
“Much of the innovation happens in the interaction between professional environments, clinics, patients and technological solutions. It is rarely one actor who is alone behind new ways of working,” she says.
Motivation for further work
Although the awards ceremony does not take place until the end of January, the nomination itself is important for the unit.
– Regardless of the outcome, we experience this as confirmation of the direction we have chosen. It provides motivation to continue the work of developing innovative clinical studies that are patient-friendly, flexible and well adapted to the needs of the health service, says Østerås.
The winners of the Innovative Environment of the Year , part of the Award for Excellence in Clinical Trials , will be announced on January 29, 2026.
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Facts
The Award for Outstanding Contribution to Clinical Studies is a new, national award that will highlight and recognize those who truly make a difference to research in Norway.
The award is established by LMI , Melanor , Inven2 , NorCRIN , CONNECT and NorTrials , and the jury represents national and regional players in both academic and industry-initiated clinical research.
The award will recognize individuals, teams or institutions that have distinguished themselves through their commitment, effort and quality in their work with clinical trials. This can involve everything from facilitation and recruitment to research, dissemination and patient involvement.
In the fall of 2025, there was an open nomination process and the jury received around 100 nominations for the 6 award categories:
- Center of the Year
- Researcher-initiated study of the year
- Industry-initiated study of the year
- Innovative Environment of the Year
- Young Scientist of the Year
- Enthusiast of the Year
